§ Ms CorstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what additional steps to enlarge opportunities for persons with disability are needed to conform with the declaration and action programme agreed at the Copenhagen world summit for social development in March, with particular reference to article 62. [26760]
§ Miss WiddecombeThe preambles to both the declaration and the programme of action make clear that the implementation of the summit recommendations at national level is subject to national legislation and priorities. United Kingdom policies and programmes to enlarge employment opportunities for people with disabilities are already kept under review to ensure that they respond quickly and effectively to changing national needs and circumstances.
The Department has a wide range of employment and training services, programmes—including supported employment—and initiatives, which help enhance the employment opportunities for people with disabilities and assist disabled people to obtain and retain employment.
The Disability Discrimination Bill introduced by the Government, will, when enacted, make it unlawful for employers, with 20 or more employees to discriminate against disabled people in any area of employment. Employers will also be under a duty to make a reasonable adjustment to working conditions or to the workplace where a disabled person would otherwise be at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled people.